Deadline: Saturday 30 April 2016.
Curator – BME, The Cunard Building, Liverpool
REPORTS TO: Chair, BME Trust
SALARY RANGE: £45-50K pa
ABOUT THE BME:
The British Music Experience is the UK’s Museum of Popular Music – a place where you can relive the moments that helped put British music on the map.
Housed for 5 years under the iconic roof of The O2 in London, the BME has made its mark as the centre for everyone who wants to celebrate the rich history of British popular music. The BME is now moving to its new permanent home in the historic Cunard Building in the heart of a UNESCO City of Music, Liverpool.
In addition to an unrivalled collection of music artefacts and memorabilia, which includes some of David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust costumes and the original handwritten lyrics to ‘Blue Monday’, the Museum also covers the impact that British music had on the culture, fashion, art and politics of the time. It reminds us that British music has, at times, defined and celebrated what it means to be British, challenged the status quo and given voice to the dispossessed.
Using the Museum’s interactive approach visitors can trace these historic and era defining moments and experience what it might have felt like to be part of these great moments. For those visitors interested in some good old rock ‘n’ roll fun, they can jam in the interactive studio, learn how to Vogue in the dance booth, and flick through virtual record collections.
With an amazing archive of iconic images and footage, over 600 items of rare artist and music memorabilia and an interactive studio, visitors can immerse themselves in the history of British music, which created some of the world’s most influential artists.
Additionally, the BME hosts Learning and Public Programmes together with its temporary exhibitions to further enrich the museum experience and reach.
Programmes include a range of events; from educational workshops for school children, to master classes and gigs hosted by industry experts and renowned artists.
Other activities will include a gift shop, café and the Museum will offer a unique and engaging venue for corporate events, using the content to tie to almost any pop culture brand.
The Museum will be operated by a third party operator who will run the day to day operations alongside the Curator employing approximately 35 FTE’s.
Additionally, the BME will be supported by Liverpool City Council, who own and reside in the Cunard Building.
The British Music Experience is a registered charity with the purpose of advancing the education and appreciation of the art, history and science of music in Britain (registered charity no.1125752).
PURPOSE:
1. To curate current and future content developing opportunities for engagement with target audiences, increasing footfall and generating revenue via a compelling roster of public programming and live events and temporary exhibitions.
2. Develop a powerful relationship with the music industry and partners to ensure the BME is recognised as the repository of choice for music artefacts and remains contemporary and relevant. To ensure the BME is regarded as the authority of popular music history in the UK.
3. As a member of the BME operations team, and a trustee for the BME, to pro-actively and positively contribute to the longer term vision and game plan for the Museum.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Pre-opening and on-going
• Safeguard the existing BME collection as well as develop relationships with lenders, artists and management to ensure the ongoing loans and donations of objects.
• Lead the content revisions across the entire Museum and development of the latest gallery from 2005 to present day which is partially assembled- including sourcing and securing new objects forloan and ensuring the look, feel and voice remains consistent.ie. a Content Strategy.
• Become a member of the Fit Out team and work alongside the designers, software engineers, operator and contractors to ensure the content (both digital and physical) is displayed appropriately.
• Help develop a bespoke training programme to ensure all BME staff have a high degree of knowledge of the collection.
• Prepare BME specific knowledge handbook training material.
• Be the conduit between the Operator and the charity so to ensure the delivery of a quality experience and participate in the recruitment and training of the Museum FOH staff.
• Work alongside the Operator as needed to safeguard the brand and ensure the BME is presented with authority and integrity in its marketing and public affairs.
• Work alongside the Operator to ensure the appropriate Licencing is obtained and sustained for the content of the Museum.
• Assist in the planning and execution of the opening event.
• Assist sponsors, partners and funders in application and fulfilment activities where it is content and live event related as appropriate.
• Develop a seasonal programme of Live and Special Events, Public Programmes, Master Classes as well as a Curator’s Corner where the public can interact with the Curator and learn more in depth about a particular object, genre, event or movement.
• Works alongside the Operator’s marketing team responding to PR questions and opportunities.
• Work alongside the Operator with the revisions of the Learning Programme and ensure it is executed in an engaging and highly interactive manner. Participate in outreach for the Learning Programme.
Post-opening and ongoing
• Maintain & develop the content at the BME to ensure it remains current, topical and provides newsworthy ‘moments’ to drive momentum and footfall; whilst protecting loan items and enhancing BME’s relationships with donors both present and future
• Sustain and enhance existing relationships and develop new relationships with music industry and beyond (where relevant) to ensure culture of giving developed and BME becomes repository of choice for artists and industry alike
• Responsible for the overall presentation of the collection to ensure they are exhibited to the highest of standards at all times
• Lead an exciting Public Programme which increases engagement year on year, drives visitation and provides wider engagement opportunities
• Participate with academic research on the collection for both PR and museum–engagement purposes.
• As a trustee and keeper of the collection, play a proactive and positive role in creating and delivering a compelling multi-year vision for the BME
• Space-permitting curate an annual roster of temporary exhibitions allowing sufficient lead time to fund and market the exhibition. Work alongside the Operator to develop traveling exhibition opportunities.
• Work with the Trust to develop one significant fundraising public event annually.
• Ongoing reporting to the BME Trustees.
• Be plugged into the wider culture scene in London and the UK (network with curators at National Museums & seize partnership opportunities i.e. Bowie at the V&A), and the music scene globally, the development of content and thematic displays will harness arena content and/or cultural themes at large to ensure cut through and appeal.
General
• Collaborate positively with colleagues operating the BME, Liverpool City Council and the BME Trust
• Assist in developing and maintaining effective team work alongside the Operator
• Provide and promote the highest level of customer service
• Continuously seek ways to improve personal, team and business performance
• To support the operator in regards to the business planning and financial forecasting process
• Ensure compliance with all Health and Safety regulations and safe working practice as required by current legislation and the Company’s
Health and Safety Policy and practices
• Ensure that all relevant information is communicated speedily and accurately in a way that ensures that the information is received and easily understood
• Ensure that all materials and resources are effectively and efficiently utilised to minimise waste and reduce costs
• Undertake any other relevant duties or reasonable request by the Operator and/or Trust
KEY SKILLS:
Essential
• Effective and engaging communicator, including presenting and public speaking.
• Proven success and experience in either Production Management in Theatre, Museums, exhibition curator similar role within the Arts/Heritage/ Music Sector.
• Curatorial expertise and collections management experience.
• Networks and relationships within the museums sector and/or music industry.
• Ability to work on own initiative and collaborate when needed.
• Energy and drive to ensure collection grows and is enjoyed by many more.
• Positive with a “can do” attitude.
• Team player who enjoys working in a high achieving environment.
• A commitment to delivering the best.
• A passion for Music and a deep knowledge and understanding of the history of popular music in the UK.
• Degree or Industry recognised qualification in Production management / Curator / Events.
• Computer literate and reasonably tech savvy.
TO APPLY:
Send a 1 page covering letter along with a 2 page CV to jobs@britishmusicexperience.com no later than April 30 2016
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